Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Concussion Syndrome For traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post concussion syndrome (PCS).


advertisement
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 07-28-2016, 09:35 AM #1
trongnhantv trongnhantv is offline
Newly Joined
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 4
8 yr Member
trongnhantv trongnhantv is offline
Newly Joined
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 4
8 yr Member
Default 1.5 year after last concussion, will it continue to improve?

Hi all,
I'm a 27 year old guys. I have suffered PCS for about 2 years. It started with the an elbow into the head I got during play soccer. The initial symptom wasn't too bad but due to lack of information, I continued to get 3 other concussions and thing get much worse.

Just 1.5 year ago, I was unable to walk for more than 15 minutes, biking and reading was impossible and I had to take 3 melatonin pills to get through the night. The condition improved slowly in the last 1.5 year. Now, I am able to ride a bike for about 45 minutes and can sleep for 7 hours at night without taking melatonin. I haven't return to work yet since my head still hurt and I can't do intensive concentration. Still, I made a big progress in the last 1.5 year.

However, in the last three months thing seems to improve slower. I wonder if my improvement has stop at this point after 1.5 year because I read this from Wikipedia "If symptoms are not resolved by one year, they are likely to be permanent, " or "Most all of your recovery will be in your first year. Any gains after that will be minimal at best.”
My question is will my brain stop recovering and I have to live with the current state for the rest of my life. If not, are there anyone on this forum was able to make a recovery ( I mean to the point when we can go to work again) after a long period such as 3 to 5 years?
Thank you very much for your support.
trongnhantv is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
"Thanks for this!" says:
thorx89 (09-02-2016)

advertisement
Old 07-28-2016, 10:23 AM #2
Mark in Idaho Mark in Idaho is offline
Legendary
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Somewhere near here
Posts: 11,416
15 yr Member
Mark in Idaho Mark in Idaho is offline
Legendary
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Somewhere near here
Posts: 11,416
15 yr Member
Default

trongnhantv,

Welcome to Neurotalk.

Wow, I think you are the first to come to NT who used Wiki to understand concussions. Wiki is dead wrong. Improvements can continue. Many don't see any improvement the first year then improve greatly the second year.

What have you been doing to help your brain recover ?

I suggest you read the first post call Vitamins in the stickies above. Also check the revision in post #101 on page 11 of the Vitamins thread. There is a link in the first post.
__________________
Mark in Idaho

"Be still and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10
Mark in Idaho is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 07-29-2016, 08:34 AM #3
trongnhantv trongnhantv is offline
Newly Joined
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 4
8 yr Member
trongnhantv trongnhantv is offline
Newly Joined
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 4
8 yr Member
Default

Dear Mark,
Thanks for your reply. My doctor said that wiki was wrong about the one year mark but I also heard other doctor said it was correct. More, she said this thing can take years. I really need stories about sufferers who have successfully recover after a period longer than 2 years. It will give me more couragement to fight again the PSC.
Regarding your question, I have been following your vitamin regime for about one year. Thanks for posting it. I also pace myself regarding physical and mental activity. I'm going to cut back on caffeine and sugar.
trongnhantv is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
"Thanks for this!" says:
thorx89 (09-02-2016)
Old 07-29-2016, 11:24 AM #4
Mark in Idaho Mark in Idaho is offline
Legendary
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Somewhere near here
Posts: 11,416
15 yr Member
Mark in Idaho Mark in Idaho is offline
Legendary
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Somewhere near here
Posts: 11,416
15 yr Member
Default

What symptoms are you still struggling with ?

Are you getting good sleep ?

I have had chronic headaches that lasted a few years in the past. They eventually became sporadic, with only a need for pain meds every week or two.

Could your headaches be related to a subtle upper neck injury where the only noticeable symptom is the headache ?
__________________
Mark in Idaho

"Be still and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10
Mark in Idaho is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 08-05-2016, 08:31 AM #5
SuperElectric SuperElectric is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 326
8 yr Member
SuperElectric SuperElectric is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 326
8 yr Member
Default

The assertion Wiki makes that you won't improve after a year or eighteen months is wrong, many on this forum will testify to continuing to improve way after this. I'm 2 years 5 months post concussion only this last month I've made progress with my remaining symptoms and expect to continue to.

PCS is brain damage and the brain takes a long time to heal and recovery isn't a straight line it's more of a sine wave gradually rising. Then there are the psychological effects of long term illness to overcome - feeling ill can become a behaviour you have to unlearn. PCS can also cause low level depression which can be debilitating, we don't always realise we're depressed, we just think we're a bit down.

I know it's frustrating when you remember how you used to be but you have to remain positive and look at how far you've progressed, you will get there with a positive mind. Also, listen to your body and rest when it needs rest. It's good that you are getting regular sleep, that will help a lot. With help the brain has great capacity for healing and adapting, certainly enough to prove doctors wrong!
__________________
Concussion 28-02-2014 head butted a door edge.
.

Symptoms overcome: Nausea, head pressure, debilitating fatigue, jelly legs, raised pulse rate, night sweats, restlessness, depersonalisation, anxiety, neck ache, depression.
Symptoms left: Disturbed sleep, some residual tinnitus.
SuperElectric is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
"Thanks for this!" says:
Beelzebore92 (08-05-2016), DannyT (08-05-2016), thorx89 (09-02-2016)
Old 08-28-2016, 09:50 PM #6
trongnhantv trongnhantv is offline
Newly Joined
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 4
8 yr Member
trongnhantv trongnhantv is offline
Newly Joined
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 4
8 yr Member
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark in Idaho View Post
What symptoms are you still struggling with ?

Are you getting good sleep ?

I have had chronic headaches that lasted a few years in the past. They eventually became sporadic, with only a need for pain meds every week or two.

Could your headaches be related to a subtle upper neck injury where the only noticeable symptom is the headache ?
How can I know if the subtle upper neck injury that caused the trouble? Anyway to diagnose it? I read before that sometimes neck injury can mimic the symptoms of PCS. My doctor didn't mention it to me. So, I did take a XRAY of my neck and show it to her. She said the XRAY didn't show any damage.
About sleep, I used to have very bad sleep when the symptom at its worst 1 year ago (2-3 pill of melatonin to get me through the night). But now it is where I see the most improvement. I can get 7 hour sleep at night with only one to two interruptions.
Thanks a lot Mark
trongnhantv is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 08-28-2016, 11:07 PM #7
Mark in Idaho Mark in Idaho is offline
Legendary
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Somewhere near here
Posts: 11,416
15 yr Member
Mark in Idaho Mark in Idaho is offline
Legendary
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Somewhere near here
Posts: 11,416
15 yr Member
Default

A neck X-ray will rarely show the subtle neck injury from a concussion. It is more like a bruise of the connective tissue and such that causes inflammation that disrupts blood flow and causes neck muscle spasms. But it can lead to headaches and other struggles.

The only way many of us resolve subtle neck injuries is by treating our necks as injured. Icing, good posture during sleep and resting, avoiding neck straining efforts, and being disciplined with neck behaviors for weeks or more can show results.

Doctors are rarely any help. There is little they can do. Even most chiros are too aggressive. Some gentle physical therapy with gentle traction and light mobilization can help start the process.
__________________
Mark in Idaho

"Be still and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10
Mark in Idaho is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 08-29-2016, 12:46 AM #8
Bud Bud is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 818
8 yr Member
Bud Bud is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 818
8 yr Member
Default

I'm 2 years 4 months and still improving.

Bud
Bud is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
"Thanks for this!" says:
thorx89 (09-02-2016)
Reply

Tags
head, melatonin, minutes, night, recovery

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Third concussion for this year, all from minor bumbs Anja 70 Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Concussion Syndrome 6 07-11-2019 01:03 PM
Still feeling post concussion syndrome 1 year on Doozer Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Concussion Syndrome 18 12-25-2015 01:24 PM
One year since first concussion Jajaa1221 Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Concussion Syndrome 6 02-19-2015 11:08 AM
14 year old daughter diagnosed with concussion concussion concern New Member Introductions 4 06-27-2012 10:58 PM
Post Concussion almost 1 year rus11 New Member Introductions 2 08-16-2010 07:08 AM


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:37 PM.

Powered by vBulletin • Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

vBulletin Optimisation provided by vB Optimise v2.7.1 (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
 

NeuroTalk Forums

Helping support those with neurological and related conditions.

 

The material on this site is for informational purposes only,
and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment
provided by a qualified health care provider.


Always consult your doctor before trying anything you read here.